Key Takeaways:
- Anthony Edwards secured his inaugural All-Star MVP on Sunday, guiding the Stars past the Stripes 47-21 in the final at Los Angeles’ Intuit Dome
- NBA’s All-Star main event adopted a new mini-tournament format with American Stars and Stripes teams and a World team, featuring four 12-minute contests
- Victor Wembanyama topped World team scoring in both appearances, netting 14 and 19 points, while celebrities and dignitaries filled the arena
Mini-Tournament Format Unveiled in Los Angeles
Sunday’s NBA All-Star main event brought a fresh twist to the annual exhibition, as the competition took place at the Los Angeles Clippers’ Intuit Dome. The league introduced its fourth All-Star structure in as many years, this time pitting two American squads – the younger Stars and more veteran Stripes – against a World team in a four-game, 12-minutes-each mini-tournament. With Olympic year fervour in the air, organisers aimed to spark extra pride and intensity among players and supporters alike.
2026 NBA ALL-STAR CHAMPS: USA STARS 🔥 pic.twitter.com/6uLnY9tyD3
— NBA (@NBA) February 16, 2026
Edwards Delivers for Stars; Stripes Falter in Finale
Minnesota Timberwolves’ Anthony Edwards was the standout performer, lifting his side in both early clashes and a decisive final. He began by sinking a clutch 3-pointer to tie the opener, then added eight points as the Stars cruised to a 47-21 victory over the Stripes in the final chapter. This contest marked the only game of the evening without a nail-biting finish, as the Stripes, led by LeBron James – possibly making his final appearance after an unprecedented 22 straight All-Star selections – faded during their third consecutive outing.
Earlier in the tournament, De’Aaron Fox drained a buzzer-beating 3-pointer to guide the Stripes to victory over the Stars in the second game, after Scottie Barnes’ overtime winner lifted the Stars past the World in a 37-35 opening thriller.
Competitive Spirit Returns to All-Star Stage
Players brought evident intensity to the occasion, a change noted by both NBA commissioner Adam Silver and MVP Edwards in their post-game reflections. “We chose to compete today, and we came out on top,” Edwards stated. “I ain’t going to lie, Wemby set the tone. He came out and played hard, and we had to follow that.”
Rookie sensation Victor Wembanyama led the charge for the World team, tallying 14 points in their first game and 19 in their third appearance despite his side posting an 0-2 record. “It was a pretty good display of basketball,” Wembanyama commented. “Better than last year, in my opinion. It was fun. … I think being honest with ourselves is good. It’s a game we love, it’s a game I personally cherish, so being competitive is the least I can do.”
Individual Performances and Celebrity Presence
Kawhi Leonard delivered a 31-point exhibition for the Stripes in the final round-robin match before being limited to just one point in the title decider. Tyrese Maxey contributed nine points to the Stars’ clinching effort in the final. In the penultimate contest, Leonard hit a crucial 3-pointer with 3.5 seconds to spare, securing the Stripes’ 48-45 triumph. Notably, Luka Doncic and Nikola Jokic, the NBA’s current top scorer and three-time MVP respectively, sat out the World team’s second fixture in consideration of recent injury challenges.
Match-by-Match Summary
| Game | Score |
|---|---|
| 1: Stars vs World | Stars 37-35 (OT) |
| 2: Stripes vs Stars | Stripes 42-40 |
| 3: Stripes vs World | Stripes 48-45 |
| Final: Stars vs Stripes | Stars 47-21 |
Star-Studded Spectacle at Intuit Dome
The stands were packed with high-profile attendees, with Prince Harry and Meghan Markle seated alongside Queen Latifah, while sports enthusiasts such as Spike Lee and rapper 2 Chainz added further glamour courtside. The pre-game festivities reached a peak as former United States President Barack Obama, along with Michelle Obama, was greeted by the crowd with a standing ovation.
